Why Study Abroad?

By Ryan Snope

            I decided to study abroad in order to experience an entirely new culture as well as to have as many new and exciting experiences as possible during my time in college.  College is one of the only times that I will be able to live in another country and experience a different culture for an extended period of time.  I hope to learn how to adapt to new environments during my time abroad, as this is an important skill to have in my professional as well as my personal life.  In addition to these reasons, my major also requires that I study abroad, which is a very good part of the program, as it forces students to venture outside of their comfort zone.  However, even if it had not been required, I still would have chosen to do so.

            I chose to study abroad in Germany for several reasons.  First, our school set up the program here, which made the logistics much simpler and will also allow me to take classes for my major while abroad.  The second reason is that I have a good friend who was born and raised in Germany who helped steer my decision.  He taught me about many aspects of German culture that seemed very interesting and also said that Heidelberg is one of the nicest cities in Germany.  The third reason is that Germany is the most important economic center in Europe and has the third largest economy in the world.  Since I am interested in economics and finance, this will allow me to learn a great deal about the European economy, which will give me a huge advantage while applying for and working at a job in this field.  Heidelberg’s proximity to Frankfurt, which is the financial capital of Germany, also makes it an ideal location to study these topics.  Also, Germany is located pretty much in the center of Europe, which will allow me to travel to other countries during my time here.

            During my time abroad, I wish to improve myself personally by being able to open my mind to different lifestyles without being judgmental or thinking one is better than another.  For example, Americans stress working very hard for many hours a week, while Europeans often live a more relaxed lifestyle with more time off from work, which Americans may view as lazy.  However, this lifestyle can contribute to greater happiness and leave more time to spend with family and loved ones.

           In order to have a successful study abroad experience, I wish to come home with a greater understanding of German and European culture and economy, make new friends from other countries, and have the most fun of any semester in college yet.  I am sure that there will be times when I am homesick, but I have only a short amount of time here while I have years to spend with my family and friends at home, so I will try to make the most of my time here.

Goals and Reflection

One of our students, Eric Scala, wrote the following about his goals for his time at the European Study Center:

"Ever since the beginning of my college career I had the desire to study abroad. I had the desire because I wanted the chance to become a more cultured person. Living in another country for four months is a great way to gain a better global perspective. Studying in Europe also gives me the ability to travel to neighboring countries and gain knowledge about their culture and way of life. After my second year of studying in New Jersey I felt that I needed to explore other options. Studying in another country was something that would provide me with the exciting college experience I’ve always wanted. It also sets me apart from others who may be applying for the same occupations.

My sister studied in Australia for a semester and was always encouraging me to do the same. I also had friends who chose to study abroad and claimed it was the best semester of their life. I chose to study In Germany because I’ve always had an interest in the country. I hadn’t had the chance to visit before so I knew it would be a new learning experience. I am fascinated by the German culture because they love soccer, the have beautiful cities, and I find the language to be intriguing. I had heard the people were very friendly towards Americans, which I have found to be true.

            Before going to Germany I knew there were certain things I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to travel all over Germany and get a better sense of the country as a whole. Not only will I travel in Germany, but all over Europe to see the sights and learn the history. The German language is very difficult but I still want to learn it the best I can, within the period of my stay. If I do gain a grasp for the language I would like to intern sometime in the future. Since I am very interested in cuisine I wanted to learn how to cook traditional German meals. When I return I would like to be able to recite the History of Heidelberg. I want to be able to have a conversation in German and be able to direct someone throughout Germany. I am also very interested in the business sector of Germany which I intend to learn more about during our excursions. I like to run a lot so I also feel it would be a good experience to participate in a half marathon through Heidelberg.

            I know that after this trip I will be more independent, as well as more confident in my ability to travel alone. I also feel that being apart from friends and family will make me a stronger person and open my eyes to working internationally one day. Since I don’t know much about the German government system I would like to learn more about it. I would also like to learn more about the top German corporations as well as other large corporations in the European Union. I think this experience has already made me a more outgoing and personable human being. Since I have been given the opportunity to meet lifelong friends from other countries, I’m giving my best effort.

            During my study abroad experience I want to have as much fun as possible without sacrificing grades or participation in my classes. I began the semester with two extra classes for no credit and intend to continue them simply for the extra knowledge. My grades aren’t the only measure of my success, because I would feel unsuccessful if I left without meeting friends from other countries. I hope I don’t get homesick even though I know it is very possible. This experience will probably be the most memorable of my life so I plan on taking full advantage of it."